Isn't it nice when everyone gets along? Every year, rather than naming their own selection, several of the largest automotive publications in Europe get together and pick their Car of the Year. A list is compiled of all eligible bachelors nominees, then the list is narrowed down to a handful (usually seven or eight) finalists before the single winner is announced. The panel, which is composed of 59 judges from 23 different countries across Europe (including six representatives each from France, Great Britain, Italy and Spain), will announce the winner in Paris on November 17. Previous winners include the Fiat 500 (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/16/fiat-500-named-2008-european-car-of-the-year/), Ford S-Max (http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/2007-european-car-of-the-year-ford-s-max/), Renault Clio (http://www.autoblog.com/2005/11/15/renault-clio-iii-european-car-of-the-year-2006/) and Toyota Prius (http://www.autoblog.com/2004/11/15/toyota-prius-wins-european-car-of-the-year/). The organization has now released their list of 38 contenders; among those nominated are the Alfa MiTo, Audi Q5, Ford Fiesta, Honda Accord, Jaguar XF and Volkswagen Scirocco. Follow the jump for the full roster.
[Source: CarOfTheYear.org (http://www.caroftheyear.org/)]

This is not the final list. Actually at the ecoty site many of the models of this list, such as the Mi.To. or the 7 series, are not there. But they might be when the time of the voting comes.

Here's what the official site says:

"Car of the Year 2009: The candidates
Many candidates for Car of the Year 2009 award are already on sale in different European markets or will be soon, and therefore meet the eligibility criteria. The contenders, that could be more than 35 by September, must be new models available in at least five European countries at the time of voting, with foreseeable minimum sales of 5,000 per year."

@ndreas

CosworthKid

06-27-2008, 07:32 AM

where is the list? I hope the Kuga and Fiesta are eligible

DoMiNo

06-27-2008, 07:40 AM

...both are on there.... in my first post.

CosworthKid

06-27-2008, 07:41 AM

...both are on there.... in my first post.

Huh...when I clicked on the thread the only post i could see was the one i commented on, what happened?

The ones i highlighted are the cars which i think will qualify + the Mazda6 which i can't highlight for some reason. As for the BMW 7-Series and Golf, as well as most Hyundai cars on the list, it seems unrealistic since they haven't even been introduced yet

DoMiNo

06-27-2008, 07:47 AM

Huh...when I clicked on the thread the only post i could see was the one i commented on, what happened?

That's the second problem your browser has had today :P

Can you see it yet?

CosworthKid

06-27-2008, 07:49 AM

Yeah now i can see it, i get all these gremlins when 'im using my wireless connection but when i use a cable things work better...hmmm...lol

swizzle

07-20-2008, 01:27 AM

How can the stunning Jaguar XF NOT be the eventual winner?

I'm starting to see XFs on the road. As my daughter would say: "That's seske!" That's how she says "sexy".

MtViewGuy188

11-06-2008, 01:52 PM

How can the stunning Jaguar XF NOT be the eventual winner?

With the current economic conditions, the Jaguar XF is not going to win European COTY for 2009. The most likely winner: the new Ford Fiesta, which has gotten a lot of plaudits for its good interior space, visually distinctive styling and one of the best ride quality for such a small car.

And the USA will see this car in early 2010. :)

mick78

11-17-2008, 04:14 PM

http://www.autoweek.nl/nieuws.php?id=10247

As it seems, the Opel Insignia is the car of the Year 2009, beating the Ford Fiesta by 1 point(!Cosworthkid, don't cry :)).
3rd place goes to Golf VI, 4th is Citroen C5, 5th is the Alfa Mito.

It is a bit of surprise for me honestly, but then again it comes with a lot of inovative gadgets, and the title can only help GM at this tough time.So songratulations!!

the1

11-17-2008, 06:47 PM

I kinda of fail to see those inovations... apart from great styling (the sedan, I hate the hatch). Fiesta is not very innovative either, but the design, low weight/good consumption figures and best in class driving manners make it the real winner IMO. Especially now when big, not very frugal, sedans are not very popular anymore.

mick78

11-17-2008, 11:09 PM

Well, I guess an opel was overdue(IMO the Zafira would have deserved the title back then), and the "Opel eye" system will be seen in many cars soon, I guess. I do agree about the "bid and heavy car" thing, but in 1970ies oil crisis, the Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9 became COTY, the probably least economical european car ever ;)

And honestly, the Fiesta is lightweight and good looking, but apart from that, not that inovative as well, as you point out. But you know, much of COTY is done by journalists driving these cars around a track, and maybe here the adaptive damping and probably teh powerful 2.8 V6 AWD made the game for the Insignia.

However, there are statistics that actually many COTY's became sales flops, ot at least, not very successful (Simca 1507, Lancia Delta, Ford Scorpio, Fiat Brava among the more prominent), or at least as title quite easily forgotten if sales were good (do we really remeber Renault Clio[twice!], Alfa 147, or Peugeot 307 being COTY?) so maybe the whole title is not worth anything Marketing wise. A nice source for debates for petrol heads like us, but that's about it.....